A Bathroom Remodel Clinton Hill Balances Contrast & Comfort
A bathroom remodel in Clinton Hill, Brooklyn, refreshes a dated co-op bath with white subway tile, dark grout, a glass partition, and more, delivering a cleaner, brighter setting for daily life in New York.
- Homeowners: Natalie and Cartier, who posted their bathroom remodel on Sweeten
- Where: Clinton Hill, Brooklyn, New York
- Primary renovation: The Clinton Hill bathroom renovation added white subway wall tile with dark grout, charcoal floor tile, a flat-front dark wood vanity, modern chrome fixtures, a glass partition at the tub, built-in shower niches, upgraded bar and recessed lighting, a thermostatic shower system with rain and handheld features, and a dual-flush toilet
- With: Sweeten general contractor
Modernizing a Clinton Hill co-op bath
Previously, we saw how Natalie and Cartier transformed the kitchen and living room of their one-bedroom apartment in the Clinton Hill Co-ops. With that momentum, they set their sights on bringing a dilapidated bath into the 21st century.
Their bathroom was showing its age, from a rust-stained bathtub and matching sink to peeling, flowery wallpaper and lavender tiles that were not to the couple’s taste. They needed a Clinton Hill bathroom remodel that focused on replacing old finishes with a cleaner, more modern palette. Sweeten brings homeowners an exceptional renovation experience by personally matching trusted general contractors to your project, while offering expert guidance and support—at no cost to you. Renovate expertly with Sweeten
Defining the new bath with clean lines and smart storage
As in the rest of the apartment, Natalie and Cartier created a clean, streamlined look by combining white tile, flat-front cabinetry in a dark wood finish, and chrome Grohe fixtures. The choice of a 4” x 12” subway tile for the walls gave the bath a more contemporary look than the traditional 3” x 6” subway tile.
For their bathroom renovation in Clinton Hill, they chose a dark grout for contrast and paired it with charcoal flooring in porcelain tile. Sleek bar lighting and recessed lights maintained the unfussy look.
The space was a typical NYC bathroom, which meant that they had to maximize storage space without it feeling too cramped. Another one of their bathroom renovation ideas involved two niches built into the wall of the shower to provide a convenient area for storing bath products.
An IKEA sink and vanity helped to keep the cost down while the pair splurged on a thermostatic shower system that includes a rain shower, a handheld showerhead, as well as a faucet. They decided on the thermostatic shower valves because of bad experiences in past apartments with drastic changes in shower temperature, and this technology addressed that problem.
Swapping a curtain for easy-clean glass
Cartier hated the way that shower curtains got dingy over time (no matter how diligent you were about airing them out!). As a result, he was particularly excited about the glass partition between the tub and the sink, which simplifies the task of cleaning.
Ready to get started?
Post your project on Sweeten for free and make your dream bathroom a reality. Sweeten puts you in control of your renovation, from finding the perfect contractor and gathering design inspiration to using cost guides to plan your budget wisely.
Renovation materials
- Floor tile: Arizona Tile porcelain floor tile, PT 12″ x 24″ Basaltina Linosa (cut into squares)
- Wall tile: South Cypress white 4” x 12” glossy subway wall tile
- Shower fixtures: Grohe Cosmopolitan Collection Europlus Pressure Balanced Tub and Shower Package
- Bathroom vanity: IKEA sink and vanity
- Toilet: Eago Modern Ceramic Dual Flush toilet
- Light Fixture: Modern Forms Sabre LED Vanity Light
Thanks to Natalie and Cartier for sharing their sleek new bath!
Frequently asked questions
Wall-mounted vanities are a great way to add storage while keeping a clean look. This choice helps maximize function without adding visual clutter. Check out our blog for more small bathroom renovation hacks.
Yes, glass partitions work for bathtubs by controlling water splashes. Many renovators opt to use a glass partition because it helps to keep the room feeling more open and light filled.
Many renovators will choose larger subway or rectangular wall tiles with minimal joints to create longer sightlines, which can make a small bathroom feel modern. These options add a sense of continuity that can enhance the look of tight spaces. Read our guide to learn how to accurately measure bathroom tiles.
Thermostatic shower systems work by sensing and mixing hot and cold water to maintain a set temperature, automatically adjusting for pressure or supply changes. The consistent comfort complements a spa-like routine in small city bathrooms.
